Container including a capsule for dispensing contents into the container

ABSTRACT

A container is disclosed comprising a body for storing a substance, the body including an opening and a capsule disposed within the opening for dispensing contents into the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application number62/011,576, filed Jun. 13, 2014, entitled “Capsule for DispensingContents into a Container,” which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container including a capsule fordispensing contents into the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic containers are used for storing a variety of substances. Thesecontainers are typically filled with a single substance. In a consumerproducts environment for example, the substance may be a beverage suchas water, sodas, energy drinks, etc. Alternatively, the substance may bea cleaning solution or powder such as Lysol, Fantastic or Comet, adetergent such as Era or any other substance. While these containersadequately contain their contents as intended, it would be advantageousto provide improvements to these containers to enhance their use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A container including one or more capsules for dispensing contents intothe container is disclosed.

In accordance with embodiment of this disclosure, a container isdisclosed. The container comprises a body for storing a substance. Thebody includes a first opening; and a first capsule disposed within thefirst opening for dispensing contents into the body.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure, a containeris disclosed. The container comprises a body for storing a substance.The body includes a capsule disposed within the opening for dispensingcontents into the body.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of this disclosure, a systemis disclosed comprising a container having a body for storing asubstance. The body includes one or more openings, one or more capsulesdisposed within the one or more openings for dispensing contents intothe body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example container including capsules for dispensingcontents into the container.

FIG. 2A depicts a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 takenalong lines 2A-2A wherein the capsules for dispensing contents are shownin a closed configuration.

FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view the container of FIG. 1 takenalong line 2B-2B.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 takenalong line 3-3 wherein the capsules for dispensing contents are shown inan open configuration.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom perspective view of the molded plate of FIG. 1incorporating the capsules for dispensing contents in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an example strip of capsules fordispensing contents.

FIGS. 6A-6J depict bottom views of various capsules for dispensingcontents in a closed configuration.

FIG. 7 depicts another example container including a capsule fordispensing contents into the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein withreference to the drawing figures.

FIG. 1 depicts example container 100 that includes capsules 102, 104 and106 (device) for dispensing contents into container 100. In particular,container 100 is used for storing a variety of substances. Thesubstances are actually stored within body 108 of container 100. In thisexample, body 108 of container 100 is a consumer beverage bottleconstructed of a substantially rigid plastic filled with a beverage (asthe substance). However, those skilled in the art know that body 108 ofcontainer 100 may be configured in any shape or form for desiredapplications and may be filled with any desired substance such asdetergent, cleaning material and even medicament (to name a few).

In this example, container 100 includes plate 110 wherein capsules 102,104, 106 are incorporated. Specifically, capsules 102, 104,106 aremolded, i.e., embedded within plate 110 as shown. Once capsules 102, 104and 106 are molded to plate 110, plate 110 is molded within an openingin body 108 of the container 100 (beverage bottle) during themanufacturing process. Alternatively, these capsules may be moldeddirectly to openings in body 108 without plate 110. The manufacturingprocess is described in more detail below. In this example, body 108,capsules 102, 104, 106 and plate 110 are made of plastic, but thoseskilled in the art know that one or more of these components may be madeof any materials (same or different) to achieve desired results.

FIG. 2A depicts a cross sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 takenalong lines 2A-2A wherein capsules 102, 104, 106 for dispensing contentsare shown in a closed configuration. In particular, FIG. 2A depicts across-sectional view of capsules 102, 104, 106 in a sealed configurationwherein each capsule is filled with contents. In this example, capsules102, 104, 106 are each constructed of two membranes, both togetherdefine an ampule of desired contents. Specifically, capsules 102, 104and 106 comprise flexible membranes 102 a, 104 a, 106 a and breakablemembers 102 b, 104 b, 106 b, respectfully. Flexible membranes 102 a, 104a, 106 a and breakable membranes 102 b, 104 b, 106 b, respectively aresealed as known to those skilled in the art, during manufacturing tocreate capsules 102, 104, 106 storing desired contents. However, theflexible membranes and breakable membranes may be configured as oneintegral material for storing contents.

Flexible 102 a, 104 a, 106 a and breakable membranes 102 b, 104 b, 106 bmay be constructed of the same material that forms the body 108 ofcontainer 100 (e.g., plastic) or any other material known to thoseskilled in the art to achieve desired results. Regardless of thematerial used, breakable membranes 102 b, 104 b, 106 b are preferablyconstructed of a thickness less than the thickness of the flexiblemembranes 102 a, 104 a, 106 a to assist or enable rupture (tearing) asdescribed in more detail below. However, those skilled in the art knowthat breakable membranes may be constructed of any thickness to achievedesire results.

In this example, flexible membranes 102 a, 104 a, 106 a are shaped as aconcave or dome configuration while breakable membranes 102 b, 104 b,106 b are shaped in a generally planar configuration. However, thoseskilled in the art know that these membranes may be sized in othershapes to achieve desired results. For example, breakable membranes maybe shaped similar to the flexible membranes (e.g., concave or domeconfiguration).

Breakable membranes 102 b, 104 b, and 106 b each include one or moreindentations 102 c, 104 c, 106 c (also known as a grooves, recesses ortear lines) that are constructed as weakened points or lines throughoutthe membrane surface. Each indentation can be a continuous trench(channel) or interrupted or dashed series of trenches (i.e.,perforations) along the same axis of an indentation. Examples of theseindentations are discussed in more detail below. When a user exertspressure on one or more flexible membrane 102 a, 104 a, and 106 a,significant pressure is created within one or more capsules 102, 104 and106. This internal pressure causes breakable membranes 102 b, 104 b, and106 b to tear or rupture along these indentations 102 c, 104 c, 106 c,thereby releasing the contents within capsules 102, 104 and 106 intobody 108 of container 100 to mix with the substance therein.

FIG. 2B depicts a cross sectional view the container of FIG. 1 takenalong lines 2B-2B. In particular, FIG. 2B depicts a section of breakablemembrane 106 b wherein indentation 106 c is shown. In detail,indentations 106 c define three continuous trenches or channelsextending through a section of breakable membrane 106 b. This channelfunctions as a weak point within breakable membrane 106 b. In theexample depicted in FIGS. 1, 2A and 3, each capsule 102, 104, 106 hasthree indentations that define three triangular sections or regions asshown. Initial tearing occurs at the center of the breakable membranewhere the indentations convene. Tearing continues along the indentationsup to the edge of each breakable membrane. Note that indentations 102 cdiffer from indentations 104 c and 106 c in that indentations 102 crepresents three series of trenches, respectively (as opposed to acontinuous trench) as shown best in FIG. 4. In alternative embodimentswith varying number and indentation shapes as described below, tearingmay occur off center or at other points along a breakable membrane.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross sectional view of container 100 of FIG. 1 takenalong line 3-3 wherein the capsules 102, 104, 106 for dispensingcontents are shown in an open configuration. In particular, a user hasexerted pressure on one or more of flexible membranes 102 a, 1024 a, 106a of capsules 102, 104, 106, respectively, thereby generating sufficientpressure within respective capsules 1-2, 104, 106 to tear respectivebreakable membranes 102 b, 104 b, 106 b and release the contents intocontainer 100. The action may be conducted on each capsule individuallyor all at the same time. That is, the user may select and releasecontents such as additives to container 100 as desired to enhance thebeverage within container 100.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of molded plate 110 of FIG. 1 incorporatingcapsules 102, 104, 106 for dispensing contents in a closedconfiguration. In particular, indentations 102 c, 104 c and 106 c areclearly shown.

In the example in FIGS. 1-4, body 108 of container 100 incorporatesthree capsules, but those skilled in the art know that any number ofcapsules may be used to achieve desired results. The capsules maycontain liquid, gel or powders such as sweetener, flavoring, coloring,thickener, drug, dietary, nutritional supplement, vitamin (to name afew). In the event container 100 is a detergent bottle, then capsulesmay include softeners or other chemicals for washing as known to thoseskilled in the art.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an example strip (section) ofcontainer 500 wherein capsules 502, 504, 506, 508 for dispensingcontents are shown. In this example, four capsules are incorporatedwithin container 500. Each capsule includes three indentations.

FIGS. 6A-6J depict bottom views of various capsules for dispensingcontents in a closed configuration. In particular, FIGS. 6A-6J depictvarious breakable membrane configurations with one or more indentations.As with embodiments described above, each indentation can be acontinuous trench (channel) or interrupted or dashed series of trenchesalong the same axis of an indentation.

In FIG. 6A, breakable membrane 600 includes four indentations thatdefine four sections. These indentations will tear under pressure(typically at a point where such indentations convene). In FIG. 6B,breakable membrane 602 includes for three indentations that define threesections as described above. In FIG. 6C, breakable membrane 604 includesfive indentations that define five sections that will tear underpressure (typically at a point where such indentations convene). In FIG.6D, breakable membrane 606 includes one indentation that defines an eggshape section that will tear under pressure. In FIG. 6E, breakablemembrane 608 includes one indentation that defines an adhesive bandage(e.g., a Band-Aid) shape. In FIG. 6F, breakable membrane 610 includesone indentation that defines a narrow oval shape section that will tearunder pressure. In FIG. 6G, breakable membrane 612 includes oneindentation that defines two semicircular sections of breakable membrane612. In FIG. 6H, breakable membrane 614 includes two indentations thatdefines a triangular shape within membrane 614. In FIG. 6I, breakablemembrane 616 includes one indentation that defines a ring shape sectionand a circular shape section within membrane 616. The ring shape sectionwill tear under pressure. In FIG. 6J, breakable membrane 618 is similarto that shown in FIG. 6I, but the circular section is smaller indiameter. The examples in FIGS. 6D, 6E, 6F 6H, 6I, and 6J may besuitable for a container (body) storing detergents or othernon-consumables.

The capsules disclosed herein may be created as part of the containermanufacturing process by several different methods. In the first method,a container is created with a rectangular opening for receiving acomplimentary shaped rectangular strip with capsules molded within thestrip. The strip is then molded directly into rectangular opening duringthe process.

In a second method, the breakable membrane is created as part of thecontainer itself, the flexible membrane is molded directly over and tobreakable membrane while filling volume defined by the membranes.

In yet a third method of manufacture, the container is constructed withan opening and then the flexible membrane is then molded over theopening. Next, the volume defined by the concave shaped flexiblemembrane is filled with content (e.g., material) and the breakablemembrane is molded to the container over the flexible membrane filledwith content.

FIG. 7 depicts another example container 700 including a capsule 702 fordispensing contents into container 700. In this example, container 700is a bag constructed of a flexible non-porous material such as softplastic filled with fluid. The fluid may be medical fluid for an IV bag,beverage for space travel or military applications or other fluid knownto those skilled in the art. The walls of container 700 define its body104. These walls are designed to be of any thickness dictated by adesired application.

Container 700 may be filled with other fluids (e.g., beverages) as knownto those skilled in the art. As indicated, capsule will have contentswithin it similar to those described above (could be fluid or solidcontents) with respect to FIGS. 1-5. Specifically, capsule 702 is formedintegrally with container 700. However, those skilled in the art knowthat capsule 702 may be embedded or infused directly into a wall ofcontainer 700 or into a matrix that is embedded or infused into a wallof container 700. The embodiment of capsule 702 is the same as shown anddescribed for FIGS. 1-4, but those skilled in the art know that anycapsule configuration or any number of capsules may be used (includingthe embodiments of the capsules disclosed above).

In operation, container 702 is filled with fluid, which creates pressurealong the walls of container 700. If a user squeezes container 700 whileexerting pressure on flexible membrane 702 a of capsule 702 itself,pressure within container 700 creates a pressure against the inside wallof container 700 and against breakable membrane 702 b of capsule 702.With sufficient pressure on flexible membrane 702 a, breakable membrane702 b will break, i.e., tear along indentations 702 c within thebreakable membrane. The contents within capsule 702 will therebydispense into container 700 and immediately mix with the substancewithin container 700 due to the pressure on the fluid within container700. In one embodiment of container 700, it is produced in three layers,one of which has a perforation for capsule 702. However, those skilledin the art know that container 700 may be constructed of any number oflayers or may be constructed of injection molding whereby the inner andout layers of the walls of container 700 create a capsule with contents.

In the examples described hereinabove for FIGS. 1-7, the containerand/or capsule may be constructed of one or more layers of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene(HDPE) and similar plastics as known to those skilled in the art.

The capsules disclosed hereinabove are constructed to improve today'scontainers by enabling users to customize ingredients by easilyselecting and dispending one or more contents such as additives into thecontainer. The user of the capsule reduces the variation of bottleshapes and economizes on display space, shipping and storage.

It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches examples of theillustrative embodiments and that many variations of the invention caneasily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading thisdisclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: a body for storing asubstance, the body including a first opening; and a first capsuledisposed within the first opening for dispensing contents into the body.2. The container of claim 1 wherein the first capsule includes aflexible membrane and a breakable membrane.
 3. The container of claim 2wherein the breakable membrane includes an indentation that isconstructed to tear as a result of pressure within the first capsule,thereby releasing the contents within the first capsule into the body.4. The container of claim 2 wherein the indentation is a continuoustrench or a series of trenches along an axis of the indentation.
 5. Thecontainer of claim 2 wherein the breakable membrane includes a pluralityof indentations that are constructed to tear as a result of pressurewithin the first capsule, thereby releasing the contents within thecapsule into the body.
 6. The container of claim 1 wherein the containeris substantially rigid.
 7. The container of claim 1 wherein thecontainer is flexible.
 8. The container of claim 1 wherein the bodyincludes a second opening.
 9. The container of claim 8 furthercomprising a second capsule disposed in the second opening fordispensing contents into the body.
 10. The container of claim 9 whereinthe contents within the first capsule and the contents of the secondcapsule are the same.
 11. The container of claim 9 wherein the contentswithin the first capsule and the contents of the second capsule aredifferent.
 12. A container comprising: a body for storing a substance,the body including a capsule disposed within the opening for dispensingcontents into the body.
 13. The container of claim 12 wherein thecapsule includes a flexible membrane and a breakable membrane.
 14. Thecontainer of claim 13 wherein the breakable membrane includes an atleast one indentation that is constructed to tear as a result ofpressure within the capsule, thereby releasing the contents within thecapsule into the body.
 15. The container of claim 12 wherein thecontainer is substantially rigid.
 16. The container of claim 12 whereinthe container is flexible.
 17. A system comprising: a container having abody for storing a substance, the body including one or more openings;one or more capsules disposed within the one or more openings fordispensing contents into the body.
 18. The system of claim 17 whereinthe one or more capsules each includes a breakable membrane with anindentation constructed to tear as a result of pressure within the oneor more capsules, the indentation defining a circular, egg, ring, ovalor triangle shaped section on the breakable membrane.
 19. The system ofclaim 17 wherein the one or more capsules each includes a breakablemembrane with a plurality of indentations constructed to tear along theindentation as a result of pressure within the one or more capsules, theindentations defining a plurality of sections on the breakable membrane.20. The system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of indentations conveneat a point on the breakable membrane.
 21. The system of claim 20 whereinthe point is at the center of the breakable membrane.